Workers airlifted from flooded CQ mine

Helicopters have been used to evacuate employees stranded at a
central Queensland thermal coal mine cut in half by massive
floodwaters at the weekend.

Ensham Resources chief executive John Pegler said floodwaters
had entered the Ensham Mine about 40km east of Emerald as they
moved down the Theresa Creek into the Nogoa River.

Mr Pegler said many employees went home before the flood hit the
mine's access road on Friday but those who elected to stay behind
to help with flood planning were flown out of the area
yesterday.

"The flooding of the Theresa Creek system northwest of Ensham
and the Nogoa River system southwest of the mine and the release of
flood flows of the Fairbairn Dam at the same time is a most unusual
occurrence and one which is unprecedented in our experience," Mr
Pegler said.

He said despite the effort of employees, the incredible speed of
the arriving flood had submerged portable offices and buildings, a
crane and a slow-moving dragline.

Mr Pegler said it was too early to determine the full extent of
disruptions to production and sales and recovery.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Emerald residents have been asked to
evacuate today in case floodwaters overcome their homes when they
peak this afternoon.

An Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) spokeswoman said the
decision to ask some residents to evacuate was made during an early
morning meeting today between Emerald Shire Council, EMQ,
hydraulogists and engineers.

Floodwaters in Emerald are expected to peak between 3pm and
3.30pm today and the nearby Fairbairn dam is already overflowing by
3.58m, rising by 5cm an hour.